Blues Cures Studio Jam Vol. 2 CD

[Liner Notes]   [Song Credits]   [Thanks To]   [Pictures]   [Videos]

We are excited to announce the release of our next great Blues album featuring an unprecedented 4 International Blues Challenge (IBC) "Albert King" award winning guitarists and 2008 champion band Trampled Under Foot.  Jonn Richardson (2005), Sean Carney (2007), Nick Schnebelen (2008) and JP Soars (2009) along with Blues legends Henry Gray and Jimmy Thackery as well as 2006 Guitar Center "King Of The Blues" national Champion, Matt O'Ree, Ricky Nye, Gene Walker and 2009 IBC Youth Showcase "Best" Micah Kesselring.  Contains 4 new original tracks and a few old standards with a modern Blues vibe. 

Audio Samples

Blues Cures Studio Jam CD
SONG LIST
(Click link to listen to MP3 sample)
  1. The Hustle (Is On) (5:17)
  2. Voodoo Woman (4:53)
  3. Goin’ Downtown (4:07)
  4. No Whiskey Blues (8:16)
  5. Need You So Bad (4:38)
  6. Central City Blues (3:40)
  1. Chloe’s Song (5:18)
  2. Blues Won’t Let Me Take My Rest (3:58)
  3. Maggie Campbell Blues (4:36)
  4. Jump On Board (4:29)
  5. IBCn You (5:53)
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Liner Notes

Blues For A Cure ‘09 included Delta Groove recording star Candye Kane and her fabulous guitarist/producer Laura Chavez, as well as the Motor City’s legendary Johnnie Bassett & The Blues Insurgents, alongside exciting regional talent like Omar Coleman and Gus Lambros.  Joe Whitmer, producer of The Blues Music Awards and The International Blues Challenge, volunteered as emcee. Friends traveled from places like Wheeling, Greensboro, Virginia Beach and Hartford, CT to attend Blues For A Cure.

Last year, we kicked off a tradition of inviting those, whose schedules allowed, to participate in a studio jam on the Sunday after Blues For A Cure at Central City Recording Studio in Columbus.  At The 2009 International Blues Challenge, “Blues Cures Studio Jam” was made available, just one month after it was recorded, as a gift in exchange for donations that support cancer research and blues music.  We are proud our first Blues Cures Studio Jam has raised over $1000 for The Blues Foundation and $500 for The Columbus Blues Alliance.

I was honored Mark Puskarich asked me to co-produce the project this time. I looked forward to both performing with such a diversely talented lineup and working in my new role.  Mark’s dedication to this concept made it possible this year. His enthusiasm and expertise for using music to bring about good continue to be a driving force behind Blues For A Cure.

On December 13, 2009, we faced the challenge of recording essentially three different bands in one day.  I think we ended up with a release that makes a strong case for marathon sessions that were common place in the days when Baton Rouge, LA native Henry Gray recorded in Chicago with Howlin’ Wolf and Jimmy Rogers on Chess Records.  Henry Gray is a 2010 Blues Music Awards nominee and a 2006 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship Award Recipient – Henry got his from President George W. Bush – the highest honor our government presents to artists.

It’s been a personal career highlight to work with Henry Gray, along with Hubert Sumlin, on a number of occasions. The man who made that all possible is Andy Cornett, of Baton Rouge.  Trampled Under Foot’s Kris Schnebelen drums on Gray’s tracks bridging a 60-year age gap with his thunderous Kansas City shuffle. 

Also for Henry’s pair of full band tracks, my good friend and 2005 IBC and Albert King Award winner Jonn Richardson plays Luther Tucker to my Robert Lockwood.

I thought it would be great to ask Henry to play a double boogie-woogie with Cincinnati’s Ricky Nye, who will compete in the 2010 IBC.  Ricky and Jonn make a great stylistic pairing backed by Trampled Under Foot on the fiery “Central City Blues.” 

The 2009 IBC champ and Albert King Award winner J.P. Soars jumps it T-Bone style backed by Trampled Under Foot with venerated Columbus native Gene Walker on “The Hustle is On.”

Matt O’Ree is the winner of Guitar Center’s 2006 King of The Blues Competition, and 2009 marked the second BFAC appearance of The Matt O’Ree Band, consisting of Eric Safka, Lance Taylor and Lew Rosengrant.  Matt and his band came to our attention at the 2009 International Blues Challenge, and they will return in to compete in 2010. 

We were really honored that six-string virtuoso Jimmy Thackery agreed to join us this year, not only for the Blues Cures Studio Jam, but also to host a great Master Class at The Jazz Academy.  Jimmy and I, along with Matt and his rock solid band, pay tribute to B.B. King, who once again autographed a guitar for auction at Blues For A Cure, on King’s own composition, “I Need You So Bad.”

The Matt O’Ree Band jammed with 16-year-old Micah Kesselring, recognized at the 2009 International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase, at Summertime Blues For A Cure. That combination worked great in the studio, especially with Mr. Thackery ripping it up on “No Whiskey Blues.”  Yes, there’s a story behind this title, actually two.

The 2008 IBC/Albert King Award winner Trampled Under Foot are Danielle Hudspeth, Nick Schnebelen and Kris Schnebelen and have become a BFAC favorite.  They were delighted at the prospect of recording with Jimmy Thackery. Koko Taylor’s “Voodoo Woman,” passionately read by Danielle, is a great vehicle to realize that opportunity, along with the stylistically versatile JP Soars.

TUF’s Nick Schnebelen fronts the 2008 IBC champs on Tommy Johnson’s “Maggie Campbell Blues” featuring Thackery and Kesselring in some hot guitar interplay with Nick.

“Chloe’s Song” developed organically in the studio with Eric Safka coming up with a theme and J.P. orchestrating the solos featuring Nick and Matt on a tune the musicians dedicate to a very special young woman who touched our hearts over that weekend and is beginning her brave battle with cancer.

We always seem to close the session out with something interesting. This year was no exception as Jimmy Thackery wrote a tune, “IBC’n You,” on the spot to be recorded by TUF’s rhythm section backing Nick, Jonn, J.P. and I for an all-star Albert King Award jam session.

Baton Rouge based photographer Jenn Ocken made the trip to BFAC this year to volunteer and donate prints for our silent auction.  Jenn also photographed this session, along with Frank Tuttle, and designed the graphic presentation you are holding in your hands.  Frank and Mark Puskarich shot video of the session, with Frank editing a number of clips that are posted on our website and YouTube.

I dedicate this CD to the memories of my uncle Gary Carney and my cousin Miles Duvivier with love and music in my heart.

Sean Carney

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Song Credits

1. The Hustle (Is On)  – JP Soars, Trampled Under Foot, Ricky Nye, Gene Walker

JP Soars – Guitar, Lead Vocal
Nick Schnebelen – Guitar
Ricky Nye – Piano
Gene Walker – Saxophone
Danielle Hudspeth – Bass Guitar
Kris Schnebelen – Drums

Words and Music by H.E. Owens, EMI UNART Catalog, Inc.

2. Voodoo Woman  – Trampled Under Foot, Jimmy Thackery, JP Soars

Danielle Hudspeth – Bass Guitar, Lead Vocal
Jimmy Thackery - Guitar
Nick Schnebelen – Guitar
JP Soars – Guitar
Kris Schnebelen – Drums

Words and Music by K. Taylor, Eyeball Music

3. Goin’ Downtown – Henry Gray, Sean Carney, Jonn Richardson

Henry Gray – Piano, Lead Vocal
Sean Carney – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jonn Richardson – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Andy Cornett – Bass, Backing Vocals
Kris Schnebelen – Drums

Words and Music by Henry Gray, Showers of Rain, BMI

4. No Whiskey Blues – Matt O’Ree Band, Jimmy Thackery, Ricky Nye, Micah Kesselring

Jimmy Thackery – Guitar
Matt O’Ree – Guitar
Micah Kesselring – Guitar
Ricky Nye – Piano
Eric Safka – B3 Organ
Lance Taylor - Bass
Lew Rosengrant - Drums

Music by Matt O’Ree, Jimmy Thackery, et al., Blues For A Cure, Copyright 2009

5. I Need You So Bad – Matt O’Ree Band, Sean Carney, Jimmy Thackery, Ricky Nye

Sean Carney – Guitar, Lead Vocal
Jimmy Thackery – Guitar
Matt O’Ree – Guitar
Ricky Nye – Piano
Eric Safka – B3 Organ
Lance Taylor - Bass
Lew Rosengrant - Drums

Words and  Music by B.B. King, Universal Music Careers

6. Central City Blues – Ricky Nye, Trampled Under Foot, Jonn Richardson

Ricky Nye - Piano
Nick Schnebelen – Guitar
Jonn Richardson – Guitar
Danielle Hudspeth – Bass Guitar
Kris Schnebelen – Drums

Music by R. Neiheisel, 1-2-3 Music, Copyright 2009

7. Chloe’s Song – Matt O’Ree Band, Nick Schnebelen, JP Soars

Matt O’Ree – Guitar
Nick Schnebelen – Guitar
JP Soars - Guitar
Eric Safka – B3 Organ
Lance Taylor - Bass
Lew Rosengrant - Drums

Music by E. Safka, M. O’Ree, JP Soars, N. Schnebelen, et al., Blues For A Cure, Copyright 2009

8. Blues Won’t Let Me Take My Rest – Henry Gray, Sean Carney, Jonn Richardson

Henry Gray – Piano, Lead Vocal
Sean Carney – Guitar
Jonn Richardson – Guitar
Andy Cornett – Bass
Kris Schnebelen – Drums

Words and Music by Henry Gray, Tradition Music, BMI

9. Maggie Campbell Blues – Trampled Under Foot, Jimmy Thackery, Micah Kesselring

Nick Schnebelen – Guitar, Lead Vocal
Jimmy Thackery – Guitar
Micah Kesselring – Guitar
Danielle Hudspeth – Bass Guitar
Kris Schnebelen – Drums

Words and Music by Tommy Johnson, Happy Valley Music.  Arrangement by Trampled Under Foot.

10. Jump On Board – Henry Gray & Ricky Nye

Henry Gray – Piano
Ricky Nye – Piano

Music by Henry Gray, Showers of Rain, BMI

11. IBCn You – Trampled Under Foot, Jonn Richardson, Sean Carney, JP Soars

Nick Schnebelen – Guitar, Vocals
Jonn Richardson – Guitar, Vocals
Sean Carney – Guitar, Vocals
JP Soars – Guitar, Vocals
Danielle Hudspeth – Bass Guitar
Kris Schnebelen – Drums

Words by J. Thackery, Jordimax, Bug Music, BMI, Copyright 2009
Music by N. Schnebelen, S. Carney, JP Soars, J Richardson, Blues For A Cure, Copyright 2009


Produced by Mark Puskarich and Sean Carney for Sean Carney’s Blues For A Cure © 2010
Recorded at Central City Recording, Columbus, Ohio, on December 13, 2009.  Recording Engineers Andy Dodson and Max Lewis.
Produced, edited and mixed by Mark Puskarich, Tony’s Treasures Studio, Columbus and Cadiz, Ohio. www.tonystreasuresproductions.com
Mastered by Mark Puskarich, Columbus, Ohio.

“For all my efforts in producing this CD, I dedicate in honor and memory of Stefanie Spielman, a true Champion.” – Mark Puskarich

For additional pictures and videos, and the latest on fundraising and concert dates, please visit our websites at www.bluesforacure.org and  www.achristmastocurecancer.org.  Blues For A Cure, (DBA) under A Christmas To Cure Cancer, Inc. is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) non–profit corporation.

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Thanks To

A very special thanks to the guys at Central City Recording: Max Lewis and Andrew Dodson for allowing your studio to be chaos for one day.  What a wonderful 8 hours in the studio on December 13, 2009, with a group of amazing artists and most of all, wonderful people. To my sister Lisa for proofing everything on a minute’s notice and catching all the small things.  Jenn Ocken and Jonn Richardson for your beautiful photographs, designs and artwork.  Mark Frizzell and Dave Marsh, of West-Camp Press, for making my small projects of big importance to your facility.  Frank Tuttle for your photographs and all the great video you shot.  Thanks so much to everyone for supporting our cause.  We all work so very hard to help make an impact on cancer research and Keeping The Blues Alive. – Mark Puskarich

CD cover, CD insert graphic design and CD insert by Jenn Ocken of Ocken Photography. www.ockenphotography.com

Video and additional photos by Frank Tuttle of Tuttle Images, www.tuttleimages.com

My view as we moved through our third, yes only our third, year of Blues For A Cure is this:  We are blessed to be a part of this organization and blessed to be a part of this cause. As many of you know, we were informed just 11 days prior to the show that our original venue was closed. Not closing, but closed. Some how, some way, we pulled together and landed the show at Vonn Jazz lounge. Thank you so much to Yavonne and her staff for hosting the event this year. Once again, the stars and planets lined up, and God shined down his grace upon us. After only one afternoon of complete panic, the team, both formal and informal, came together and not only landed the show at a new venue, but pulled it off like it had always intended to be at Vonn. Unbelievable. Immaculate. First of all, I want to thank Sean and Mark for dropping whatever was on their plates and rallying. Between the three of us, we talked to many potential venues, and ultimately Sean and Mark wrapped up a deal with Yavonne Sarber in only a couple days. Cody and Dave then planned and executed to create a sound production that was absolutely first rate. The usual suspects, Dave, Matt, Jeff and our special guest Joe Whitmer from the IBC (Memphis) ran a flawless show with the help of all the great volunteers at this event. I also want to thank all the amazing artists who came with their A+ games and put on a world-class performance. And, best of all…all of YOU showed up and supported the event again this year. In ever growing numbers, you came and made it all worth the effort. Thank You for that. For me, it was my annual healing. The most special event of the year for me to share with so many people I care about and love. Thank you for purchasing this CD. You are the biggest reason that Blues For A Cure is a success.

Warmest Regards,
Mike “Bear In The Chair” Berichon

Tony’s Treasures Productions is proud to sponsor this recording project to help support fundraising for cancer research and the Blues Foundation.  It was a pleasure and thrill to work with such great artists and witness their enthusiasm for their craft.  Thank you for supporting great Blues music two great causes. – Mark Puskarich
www.tonystreasuresproductions.com

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Pictures


Andy, Thackery, Max
 
Category 5 Amp
 
Category 5 Amp
 
Danielle Hudspeth
 
Eric Safka
                 

Eric Safka
 
Henry Gray
 
Henry Gray & Ricky Nye
 
Jimmy Thackery
 
Jonn Richardson, JP Soars, Nick Schnebelen, & Sean Carney
                 

Jonn Richardson, JP Soars, Nick Schnebelen, & Sean Carney
 
Jonn Richardson & Danielle Hudspeth
 
JP Soars
 
JP Soars & Danielle Hudspeth
 
JP Soars Guitar
                 

Kris Schnebelen
 
Lance Taylor
 
Lew Rosengrant
 
Mark Puskarich & Jimmy Thackery
 
Matt, Micah, Sean, Jonn, JP, Nick
                 

Micah Kesselring
 
Mike Berichon & Gene Walker
 
Ricky Nye
 
Sean Carney
 
Sean Carney
                 

Sean Carney & Jimmy Thackery
 
Sean Carney & Ricky Nye
 
Sean Carney at Central City
       

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Videos

 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     

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